FARMERS AND DEFENCE LONG RIDES TO PARADES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 28, 1 August 1912, Page 8

FARMERS AND DEFENCE LONG RIDES TO PARADES.

Mr. S. Chambers (Hawkes Bay) moved at tho Farmers' Conference today — "That this conference recognises the necessity for compulsory military training and suggests that the training of young men. employed in agricultural, rtoral, and dairying- pursuits should so arranged as to reduce the serious inconvenience and expense to employers and employees by their frequent attendance required at parades, and suggests that the annual period of continuous training in camp during the slack season be increased, whilst the parades during the remainder of the year be reduced correspondingly . " Men, he said, who attended tho parades lost 18 days' pay in tbe year (assuming pay was docked by employers, which it rarely was). The employers lost £12,000 annually by the present system of parades. It would be found cheaper ana more efficient to put in the whole training and parades in one camp. If he put in twenty-two days at one time it would be a great saving' to the employers, the employees, and to the country. _ Mr. Foster said the military authorities were trying to meet employers as •well as they could: and also to carry out the scheme. He felt that the scheme could not be efficiently carried out on the lines suggested in the motion. Mr. Vavasour - supported the previous speaker. Captain Colbeck held that General Godley not being a farmer could not understand the farmers' position so well »» he could himself.. Mr. M'Queen reminded farmers that General Godley assured the union that he would consult the, wishes of farmers as well as he could; but farmers should be prepared to make sacrifices. General Godley was always ready to discuss, and if possible; remedy any local inconvenience. Mr. Nesbit maintained that the motion was drafted to aid General Godley. Mr. Sheat moved— "That all the words after 'training' be struck ouv." This was seconded. » Mr. Chambers said it was not presumed to advise the General, but only to offer suggestion vtfiich the General wanted. The scheme was heartily approved; but was absurd, to see men riding In 20 or 30 miles to one and a- [ half hours' parade. This was disheartening. I The original motion was carried.